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Tablet Computers For Seniors

Best Tablet Computers For Seniors

A tablet computer may not be the very first thing that pops to mind if you’re shopping for a gift for a senior relative. However, they can be the absolute ideal device for them and they offer a large number of benefits to elderly users.

Tablet computers are very popular these days. They currently sell better than laptops and desktops, a trend which is expected to continue.

There are a number of reasons for this. Tablets have become much more powerful over the last 12 to 18 months. Displays have improved and prices have fallen. You can pick up an entry-level tablet for well under $100 these days.

One of the big deals with tablet computers is the touch screen display. It makes using tablet computers much easier and intuitive – which makes tablets an attractive proposition for many people who might normally shy away from sitting down at a QWERTY keyboard and monitor.

I’ve seen young children and seniors sitting on the same sofa having fun together with their tablet computers. They really do appeal to a wide age range.

Tablet Computers For Seniors

The ease of use of tablet computers makes them the ideal tech gift for a senior relative. They can use them to participate in social networks, keep in touch with friends and family, watch videos, listen to music, send e-mail, play games etc. – all the things that everyone else does in fact.

Don’t jump to the conclusion that, simply because someone is a little older, they aren’t interested in exactly the same things that everyone else is. A great many seniors get great pleasure from being active on various social networks. It’s a fantastic way for them to keep up with what their children, grandchildren, family members and friends are up to.

Another very popular pastime for seniors is gaming. Not necessarily Grand Theft Auto or Halo – puzzles are very popular – although some seniors may very well enjoy GTA of course.

It’s an interesting development, and there have been some studies which seem to indicate that playing computer games can help to keep mind active and help to avoid memory loss and other problems. And of course, even if that’s not correct, it still provides seniors with an interesting and enjoyable way to pass the time.

As well as being able to stay connected, communicate on social media and generally have fun, don’t forget that you can get some very helpful apps for seniors – including health related apps and apps which can remind them to take the correct medication at the correct time.

Choosing A Tablet Computers For a Senior

When choosing a tablet for a senior, the most important thing is ease of use. Things like processing power are slightly less concerning than they might be if you were choosing a tablet for yourself.

And of course, there is a huge variation in the needs of different seniors. If they have poor vision, you may want to choose a tablet with the largest screen possible. If they have any difficulties with coordination or their joints, you may want to choose a tablet that is small and light. It will vary from one person to another – so use your knowledge of the individual to select a suitable tablet.

If there are no other influencing factors, it’s not a bad idea to go for the same tablet model that you have. That way you can not only help to set it up, but you’ll be better placed to answer any operational questions as they come up.

You may want to give some consideration to how the person receiving the gift might want to use their tablet. Since you know them fairly well, you can probably make an educated guess at this – however, you may get a few surprises once they start using it.

Check to see if there are any apps that might make life easier for them when they start to use their tablet. You might want to go ahead and install a few of the ones that you think will be most useful for them so that their tablet is ready to go right out of the box when they open it.

What’s the Best Tablet Computer For Seniors?

As discussed above, there probably isn’t one single tablet that suits all seniors. Seniors are individuals with varying needs and requirements after all.

However, the American Association of Retired Persons – the AARP – makes a tablet, the AARP RealPad which is specially designed for older users. It has larger icons, so that they are easy to see and it comes with several useful apps pre-installed, including Facebook and YouTube.

There are a number of tutorial videos available to watch right on the tablet, and setup is very simple. There’s also a 24/7 help line which you or your elderly relative can use if there are any problems which don’t seem to have an immediately obvious answer.

Screen size is 8 inches, it has 16 GB flash memory and 1.0 GB RAM and it weighs just 2.0 pounds.

If you don’t have a strong preference for another model, or if you’re just generally uncertain, then it’s probably a safe bet.

Here’s a quick video overview of the AARP RealPad which summarises the main benefits of it:

iPad For Senior Citizens

The iPad is the undisputed champion in the tablet arena, and has been pretty much since it was launched. there are various models to choose from, including the mini and the full size version.

The mini might be a good choice for someone who wants a small light tablet, whereas the full size version could be a good choice for anyone who needs a larger display.

The great thing about the iPad isn’t the hardware though (although it is very nice), the big selling point is the huge variety of apps available. It pretty much doesn’t matter what you want to do, there really is “an app for that”.

Here are a few examples of some apps that might be useful for your senior gift recipient. There are plenty others of course – and you may consider adding a few based on their hobbies and interests.

Kindle Fire For Seniors

The Kindle Fire range starts at under $50 and comes in 7″ and 8″ screen sizes. It’s probably not quite as fashionable as the iPad, but it does represent great value for money, especially for anyone who is accustomed to buying books and other items from Amazon.

It can be paired up with Amazon’s Alexa to give voice control which makes it pretty easy to operate. Obviously Kindle owners get access to the Amazon content ecosystem – and Prime users will get access to a huge library of music, books, videos and TV shows included in their membership.

Controls are pretty straightforward and you can pair your senior’s Kindle up with your Amazon account if you like. that way they can access your books, music, videos etc. without having to sign up themselves.